Last Modified: Friday, June 21, 2013 at 4:32 p.m.

South Davidson Middle School principal Loretta Fulbright sits in the lobby of the middle school. She is retiring after 30 years in the Davidson County Schools educational system.

Donnie Roberts/The Dispatch

Her reason, "because your purpose is before you every day. You see it in the children's faces."

That's something the South Davidson Middle School principal will miss after retiring this school year. James Ellis Sparks Jr., who comes from East Davidson High School, has been approved as the new administrator.

"It has been an incredible journey," Fulbright, 54, said. "I have had the opportunity to work with every feeder pattern, which gave me a real sense of who we are in Davidson County. I had an opportunity to fulfill a lot of different roles. That has been a real privilege. I think I have enjoyed every role I had in the school system. I've been able to do almost everything I wanted to do. I am leaving a job I truly enjoy. I love working with students and teachers. I'm leaving a career I am absolutely certain I chose the right one."

Fulbright's career started in 1981 as a teacher at Central Davidson High School. She also taught at West Davidson High School and served as an observer evaluator and curriculum coordinator at the elementary level for the system. Fulbright spent time as assistant principal at both E. Lawson Brown and North Davidson middle schools, and as a principal of Davis-Townsend Elementary School. She worked at the central office as director of middle school education and as a human resources director. She was the 1986-87 Teacher of the Year while at WDHS and the 1987-88 Davidson County Schools Teacher of the Year.

"I think Davidson County Schools represents a higher standard in education," she said. "The constant mantra is strive for excellence. Let's strive to be the best we can be. Let's strive to be better than what we do. Everybody that works in the system believes in high standards."

She has served the southern part of the county for the past five years.

"What more can a person ask for … when you know you've been in the right places at the right time, and you know you're making a difference. It's been a fulfilling ride," Fulbright said. "I will definitely miss the students. They are always first with me. I have loved working with them. I will miss the teachers. (South Davidson Middle) has an outstanding staff here. I will miss being a part of this family."

Fulbright has other things she would like to do, which is the reason behind her retiring. She hopes to be able to be an education consultant and teach at the college level. There are already plans to work part time at The Travel Center of Lexington. She's excited about working with the owner, Meetta Simpson, who is a former student.

"I'm looking forward to that. I love to travel," Fulbright said.

She is married to Bryan and has two children, Laura and Matthew. Fulbright, a native of North Wilkesboro, received an English, secondary education (with a minor in communication arts) degree, master's degree in school administration and education specialist degree, all from Appalachian State University. In 1988, ASU gave Fulbright an outstanding achievement award in school administration. She has also served as a personnel administrator on the steering committee of Personnel Administrators of North Carolina from 2003-05 and as an executive board member of the N.C. Principals and Assistant Principals Association since 2008.

Davidson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Fred Mock said Fulbright fought for her students and for resources to be delivered to her schools.

"Loretta Fulbright has served South Davidson Middle School and other schools in our county as a classical school principal," Mock said. "She is compassionate and ever present. She is very loyal to her students and her school community. I am very thankful for Loretta's service to Davidson County Schools, and we wish her the very best in her retirement."

Fulbright took the education route because she had wonderful experiences with teachers from high school. She said with students looking for someone to care about them, it was important to encourage them and help them because that's what being an educator is about.

"I decided I wanted to make that difference in other people's lives. Kids really put what matters in life into perspective for you. I've learned more from them," she said. "That's what it's all about. Being successful is about recognizing what your gifts and talents are, and then capitalizing on them to make a difference. My time here at South Davidson has been a labor of love. I've been very privileged to serve this community — students, teachers and parents. I think that teachers and administrators have such a powerful opportunity to change people's lives."

Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.

<p>DENTON | Of all the roles Loretta Fulbright has served in her 30 years in education, she says being a teacher and principal are what she enjoyed the most.</p><p>Her reason, "because your purpose is before you every day. You see it in the children's faces."</p><p>That's something the South Davidson Middle School principal will miss after retiring this school year. James Ellis Sparks Jr., who comes from East Davidson High School, has been approved as the new administrator.</p><p>"It has been an incredible journey," Fulbright, 54, said. "I have had the opportunity to work with every feeder pattern, which gave me a real sense of who we are in Davidson County. I had an opportunity to fulfill a lot of different roles. That has been a real privilege. I think I have enjoyed every role I had in the school system. I've been able to do almost everything I wanted to do. I am leaving a job I truly enjoy. I love working with students and teachers. I'm leaving a career I am absolutely certain I chose the right one."</p><p>Fulbright's career started in 1981 as a teacher at Central Davidson High School. She also taught at West Davidson High School and served as an observer evaluator and curriculum coordinator at the elementary level for the system. Fulbright spent time as assistant principal at both E. Lawson Brown and North Davidson middle schools, and as a principal of Davis-Townsend Elementary School. She worked at the central office as director of middle school education and as a human resources director. She was the 1986-87 Teacher of the Year while at WDHS and the 1987-88 Davidson County Schools Teacher of the Year.</p><p>"I think Davidson County Schools represents a higher standard in education," she said. "The constant mantra is strive for excellence. Let's strive to be the best we can be. Let's strive to be better than what we do. Everybody that works in the system believes in high standards."</p><p>She has served the southern part of the county for the past five years.</p><p>"What more can a person ask for … when you know you've been in the right places at the right time, and you know you're making a difference. It's been a fulfilling ride," Fulbright said. "I will definitely miss the students. They are always first with me. I have loved working with them. I will miss the teachers. (South Davidson Middle) has an outstanding staff here. I will miss being a part of this family."</p><p>Fulbright has other things she would like to do, which is the reason behind her retiring. She hopes to be able to be an education consultant and teach at the college level. There are already plans to work part time at The Travel Center of Lexington. She's excited about working with the owner, Meetta Simpson, who is a former student. </p><p>"I'm looking forward to that. I love to travel," Fulbright said.</p><p>She is married to Bryan and has two children, Laura and Matthew. Fulbright, a native of North Wilkesboro, received an English, secondary education (with a minor in communication arts) degree, master's degree in school administration and education specialist degree, all from Appalachian State University. In 1988, ASU gave Fulbright an outstanding achievement award in school administration. She has also served as a personnel administrator on the steering committee of Personnel Administrators of North Carolina from 2003-05 and as an executive board member of the N.C. Principals and Assistant Principals Association since 2008.</p><p>Davidson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Fred Mock said Fulbright fought for her students and for resources to be delivered to her schools.</p><p>"Loretta Fulbright has served South Davidson Middle School and other schools in our county as a classical school principal," Mock said. "She is compassionate and ever present. She is very loyal to her students and her school community. I am very thankful for Loretta's service to Davidson County Schools, and we wish her the very best in her retirement."</p><p>Fulbright took the education route because she had wonderful experiences with teachers from high school. She said with students looking for someone to care about them, it was important to encourage them and help them because that's what being an educator is about.</p><p>"I decided I wanted to make that difference in other people's lives. Kids really put what matters in life into perspective for you. I've learned more from them," she said. "That's what it's all about. Being successful is about recognizing what your gifts and talents are, and then capitalizing on them to make a difference. My time here at South Davidson has been a labor of love. I've been very privileged to serve this community — students, teachers and parents. I think that teachers and administrators have such a powerful opportunity to change people's lives."</p><p>Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.</p>